Men's Football

Joey Guarascio

Men's Football Head Coach / Strength & Conditioning

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI - FBS • Empire 8

Joey G Is The Best In The Business

Date: April 23, 2024

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

"Coach Joey trains you to be the best football player you can be!"

0

Men's Swimming & Diving

Lara Preacco

Men's Swimming & Diving Head Coach / Swimming

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Conference Carolinas | CC

Fau Will Be Better When Lara Is Gone.

Date: March 24, 2024

By Other

1.2

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

1.3

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Cares About Academics Old School Mentality Disorganized Direct

"Lara is a pathological liar. She will say something completely false to your face and manipulate you into believing it, or manipulate you into doing something that will benefit her, regardless of the consequences towards you. You cannot trust Lara, if you believe you are having a sensitive and vulnerable moment with her, she will turn around and use that information against you on the flip of a coin. She also doesn’t do any recruiting or set writing, and when it comes to her coaching she sits on the pool deck on her phone and lets the lesser paid assistant coach do her job for her. Her coaching comes down to her saying the same two things, tempo and kick, regardless of what the reality of the actual solution is. FAU will be better when she is gone. "

0

Men's Soccer

Joey Worthen

Men's Soccer Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

The Worst Low Iq Toxic. No Experience In The Game At Any Decent Level.

Date: August 19, 2023

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

"Terrible. Screams at players. Calls them losers. Has no technical plan. Changes 70% of the team annually and all from Europe. Brings in terrible players. Encourages players to change majors to easy subjects like Physical Education so they can focus on soccer. "

0

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Alex Smolka

Men's Cross Country Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Great, Great Team Culture!

Date: August 13, 2023

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

3.8

4.0

4.2

Tags

Motivational Honest Passionate About Coaching Accessible Dedicated To Players

"Caring beyond belief! Always honest. Comfortable having tough and sometimes uncomfortable conversations. "

-1

Women's Tennis

Ricardo Gonzalez

Women's Tennis Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Best In The Business. You Will Be The Best Version Of Yourself After Playing For Him

Date: June 6, 2023

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

Tags

Accessible Honest Believes In You Creates A Great Team Culture Develops Team Beyond The Field

"Ricardo is not just an amazing coach but an amazing person. He’s the type of coach you want to play for and learn to not only be the best version of yourself as a player, but as a person after. Truly a transformational coach "

0

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Alex Smolka

Men's Cross Country Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

A Great Coach All Around

Date: January 24, 2023

By Other

4.4

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

3.8

4.0

4.2

Tags

Motivational Honest Passionate About Coaching Accessible Dedicated To Players

"What is there to say about Coach Smolka, He cares about his team and always shows up for them. He creates a great environment for athletes. He lifts his team up and pushes them to their best to their ability. He built FAU’s track and X/C from the ground up. It is amazing what this coach can do. He is nice to everybody around him. He sets up the team schedule well and plans everything thing for travel/meets. He has extraordinary talent and has great knowledge about: times, the history, training methods, injury treatment and prevention. He just a great coach."

-2

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Alex Smolka

Men's Cross Country Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

He Treats His Entire Team Like Family

Date: January 23, 2023

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

3.8

4.0

4.2

Tags

Motivational Honest Passionate About Coaching Accessible Dedicated To Players

"Great experience! I can't imagine any body caring more about their student athletes and their overall academic and athletic success! "

-2

Men's Swimming & Diving

Lara Preacco

Men's Swimming & Diving Head Coach / Swimming

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Conference Carolinas | CC

Preacco Is A Nightmare

Date: November 10, 2022

By Other

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

1.3

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Cares About Academics Old School Mentality Disorganized Direct

"Not all retired Olympic athletes make good coaches. And for someone to be on a power trip the way she is at FAU you’d think she was THE Olympic athlete but only competed in a relay that didn’t medal. She cared more about the way she looked than what we were actually putting into the pool. Had absolutely no structure to her practices. Basically tacked on yardage just to say it was a good practice. No level of technique training was ever put into place. No workouts were structured or had any goal to them. A coach is supposed to help towards individual goals along side team goals and the only “goal” that mattered was hers and whatever image she was trying to achieve. Hated swimming for someone like that. She made me hate the sport… I understand girl power and being a female in a strong position like hers, but she was more concerned with maintaining her power position than anything else. "

1

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Alex Smolka

Men's Cross Country Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Toxic Team And Coach

Date: October 24, 2022

By Other

1.4

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

3.8

4.0

4.2

Tags

Motivational Honest Passionate About Coaching Accessible Dedicated To Players

"Coach Smolka comes off very nice and pleasant but creates an extremely toxic team environment. He cares little to none for athletes that are not a top runner on the team. He also makes everything essentially mandatory despite saying “You don’t have to go”, if you don’t attend you are berated about why you didn’t attend. Many past athletes that I spoke with either hated the sport after or couldn’t wait to leave the school. Although he does a good job scheduling meets and travel, running is first and school/community engagement is much farther down the list of priorities. If you love running and wouldn’t be swayed by a team culture that is toxic because the coach LOVES gossip then this team will be fine. You’ll be better off going to a different school with a coach that wants you to be a successful person after school than a coach who won’t help you progress into a career. "

1

Women's Facilities

Swimming & Diving

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Large And Stunning

Date: July 30, 2022

By Verified Athlete

4.6

Overall

Cleanliness

Availability

Up To Date

Cool

5.0

4.0

Tags

Accessible Direct Intense Cool Motivational

"The FAU facilities are vast and are constantly being updated and made even better! My favorite thing is the Football Stadium with the beautiful field and overall complex. "

0

Men's Facilities

Swimming & Diving

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Best Training Pool In South Florida

Date: July 24, 2022

By Other

4.2

Overall

Cleanliness

Availability

Up To Date

Cool

5.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

3.0

Tags

Accessible Direct Intense Cool Motivational

"Pool area is beautiful and the training pool is the best in Florida... academics area have been updated since I left, but from the looks of it and what I have heard it is top notch!"

0

Women's Facilities

Swimming & Diving

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Had A Great Experience Here

Date: July 24, 2022

By Other

3.8

Overall

Cleanliness

Availability

Up To Date

Cool

4.0

5.0

3.0

Tags

Accessible Direct Intense Cool Motivational

"I had a great experience here and if I had to do it again, I would pick FAU. It is literally in paradise. The main pool is updated and is amazing. You have one of the prettiest views of palm trees and great sunsets. The original pool is still there, and definitely needs to be updated but it is nice to have the extra room for practices. The entryway, original pool, locker room, and Dive room could definitely be updated. Besides those updates, The Oxley (this is where the weight room, athletic training room, study hall, athletic counselors, etc are) is updated and is very nice. Everything you need is right on campus. You can easily walk, bike, scooter, or drive to get wherever you need (class, practice, weights, PT, study hall, etc). We were really fortunate to have everything so close. Campus is so close to one of the best beaches too. We had beach practices there and spent a lot of time there with our teammates. "

0

Men's Swimming & Diving

Lara Preacco

Men's Swimming & Diving Head Coach / Swimming

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Conference Carolinas | CC

Not A Great Experience E

Date: July 23, 2022

By Verified Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

1.3

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Cares About Academics Old School Mentality Disorganized Direct

"Coach Lara is a former FAU swimmer which is cool, the downside is that she doesn’t have any experience outside of FAU which hinders her ability to try progressive practices or techniques. "

1

Women's Campus Visit

Swimming & Diving

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Fau Swimming & Diving

Date: July 23, 2022

By Verified Athlete

4.3

Overall

Team Dynamic

Host Interaction

Coaching Staff Interaction

Coach Player Interaction

Got To Know Team

5.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

Tags

Accessible Direct Intense Cool Motivational

"I loved my recruitment trip to FAU! I got to see the campus, meet the team, and tour the athletic facilities. After visiting the school and spending time with the team, it was very easy to say YES to FAU! To note, I had my recruitment trip to FAU in 2013 with coaches that are no longer coaching at FAU. "

0

Men's Swimming & Diving

Lara Preacco

Men's Swimming & Diving Head Coach / Swimming

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Conference Carolinas | CC

Fau Swim & Dive

Date: July 23, 2022

By Verified Athlete

1.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

1.0

1.3

1.0

Tags

Poor Communication Cares About Academics Old School Mentality Disorganized Direct

"I did not have a positive experience with Coach Lara. "

0

Coed's Facilities

Swimming & Diving

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Florida Atlantic Student Athlete Swimming

Date: July 23, 2022

By Verified Athlete

3.6

Overall

Cleanliness

Availability

Up To Date

Cool

4.0

3.0

5.0

3.0

Tags

Accessible Direct Intense Cool Motivational

"The main pool at FAU is an Olympic sized, outdoor, Myrtha pool that was chlorinated. At the end of the main pool there are gorgeous palm trees that stand tall and are really nice to look at (IYKYK)! In addition to the main pool, there is a small short course pool which was the original pool built for the program. It is older but it’s really nice having the extra space for the different practice groups. Although the main pool is stunning, the entrance, spectator area, locker rooms, and restrooms are outdated and need to be updated. FAU has two dedicated areas for athletes, the pool is located in the main area and is surrounded by the other sports which is really nice. The Oxley (athletic center) has everything you could need from the weight room, training room, film, tutors, and advisors. The other athletic area was built after I left but it’s my understanding that it is world class. "

0

Coed Campus Visit

Swimming & Diving

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Go Owls

Date: July 22, 2022

By Verified Athlete

4.3

Overall

Team Dynamic

Host Interaction

Coaching Staff Interaction

Coach Player Interaction

Got To Know Team

4.0

5.0

4.0

5.0

4.0

Tags

Accessible Direct Intense Cool Motivational

"My recruiting trip to FAU was pretty enjoyable. The pool is beautiful- big & located outside. The other athletic facilities were very nice and up to date as well. Huge football stadium, not the best gameday vibes but might've been because it wasn't against a good school. Very close to a beautiful beach, where the team does Saturday morning practice on. Team seems pretty close knit, interacted with a few problematic (slightly racist) people but it's florida after all what can you expect. "

0

Men's Cross Country/Track & Field

Alex Smolka

Men's Cross Country Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

G Reat Leader

Date: July 21, 2022

By Verified Athlete

4.4

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

3.8

4.0

4.2

Tags

Motivational Honest Passionate About Coaching Accessible Dedicated To Players

"Coach Smolka is very welcoming and encouraging. He goes above and beyond for his athletes!"

-2

Women's Soccer

Patrick Baker

Women's Soccer Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Involved

Date: July 21, 2022

By Verified Athlete

4.8

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

3.7

Tags

Direct Accessible Cool Intense Believes In You

"He genuinely wants what is best for you. And, cares about your future after soccer."

0

Women's Volleyball

Fernanda Nelson

Women's Volleyball Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Amazing

Date: April 25, 2022

By Other

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

4.8

4.3

Tags

Accessible Cool Direct Intense Motivational

"Such a great coach, super motivational, truly cares about you as a person, not only as a player."

0

Men's Football

Tom Herman

Men's Football Head Coach

The University of Texas (Austin)

NCAA DI - FBS • N/A

Date: September 23, 2020

By Verified Athlete

4.6

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

4.0

3.8

4.3

3.3

Tags

Intense Direct Accessible Cool

"Super helpful outside of football in professional development "

0

Women's Soccer

Patrick Baker

Women's Soccer Head Coach

Florida Atlantic University

NCAA DI • Empire 8

Date: May 18, 2020

By Verified Athlete

4.8

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

5.0

3.7

Tags

Direct Accessible Cool Intense Believes In You

""

0

Men's Football

Willie Taggart

Men's Football Head Coach

Florida State University

Date: August 7, 2019

By Verified Athlete

4.8

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

4.9

4.6

4.7

4.6

5.0

Tags

Cool Direct Intense Accessible

""

0

Men's Football

Willie Taggart

Men's Football Head Coach

Florida State University

Date: August 7, 2019

By Verified Athlete

4.8

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

4.9

4.6

4.7

4.6

5.0

Tags

Cool Direct Intense Accessible

""

0

Men's Football

Willie Taggart

Men's Football Head Coach

Florida State University

Date: August 7, 2019

By Verified Athlete

5.0

Overall

Caring

Motivational

Knowledgeable

Honest

4.9

4.6

4.7

4.6

5.0

Tags

Cool Direct Intense Accessible

""

0

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Florida Atlantic University

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